Te Akau Midweek Update
10 March, 2021
David writes:
I am still pinching myself after such an incredible day at Ellerslie on Derby Day (Sunday).
While due to COVID alert levels, it had to be staged a little differently to the Derbv Day we know and are used to, to have Te Akau win half the card was just an unbelievable thrill for our owners.
I had an interesting email from a very well-read gentleman who pointed out that across the races held on Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Karaka Million and Derby Day, a total of 36 races were run and our trainer Jamie Richards won 16 of them. What an achievement that is!
Congratulations to all of our loyal and dedicated team who look after these horses at both at the stable in Matamata and Te Akau Stud - it is so rewarding to see all your hard work pay off!
We also would like to congratulate, and thank immensely, every single one of our owners - without you and your huge support, none of this would be made possible.
For Derby Day, Karyn and I were meant to be going to Ellerslie but COVID had other plans. With Auckland just coming out of Alert Level 3 and being in Alert Level Two, we decided to watch the races from Raglan with 12 of our very close friends and family members. As numbers were limited at Ellerslie due to the alert level, we felt it was best to also let our owners of horses racing have the first call on attending.
My youngest granddaughter Lucia-Rose, who turned three on Friday, was watching the races intently and yelling at the TV - “GO GO GO - Go the Tangerine!†Yes she has been very well educated!!
While nothing can compare to the atmosphere of being at the races, it was a great day which led onto plenty of celebrating!
We are all excited however about going to Ellerslie for Auckland Cup on Saturday. We look to have some very good chances!
This Friday I am taking my great friend Colin Jillings out for lunch for his 90th birthday. Well over 40 years ago, Colin took me under his wing and taught me most of what I know about the bloodstock industry today. He was an unbelievable (Hall of Fame) trainer and a great friend. He had many favourite sayings, one of which he would say to me after a bad day on the track: “never let the buggers know you are hurtingâ€. I have always kept that in my mind whenever we have disappointments in racing. My other mantra being "win with dignity and lose with grace".
On the farming front, we have had 130mls of rain over the last week. The farm is certainly staring to change colour! Some follow up rain (which is due to come tomorrow!) would be a massive bonus.
Today I had two planes flying off my airstrip, putting on a mixture of super phosphate, potash and sulphur across the farm. In my 42 years of farming, I have never once missed putting fertiliser on the farm, and gee, does it make a difference!
Since the November Ready to Run sale last year, Karyn and I have sold over 57 young horses. We are coming into one of the busiest times of the year here at Te Akau Stud, as the yearlings begin their early education. Let me tell you - there is nothing more exciting that seeing these young horses being broken-in and starting their career right here on the farm.
We only have a few shares left in the following three yearlings:
Lot 239 - Contributer x Alpha Dame colt who I purchased for $135,000 - a Contributer colt won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas on Saturday
Lot 245 - El Roca x Anthology colt who I purchased for $200,000 - drop, dead handsome and beautifully put together
Lot 308 - Almanzor x Champagne Katie colt for I purchased for $230,000 - by one of the most exciting young sires to ever come to NZ
Remember that last year, the last yearling to sell was Imperatriz - she's had two starts for two very superb wins, including a Group 2 race.
The year before that was the Champion 2YO, Karaka Million and Group 1 winner, Cool Aza Beel, while before him was Avantage who has won eight Group 1 titles and was also Champion 2YO of her year as well as our second Karaka Million winner.
I am sure history continues to repeat itself, with the last yearling to sell being incredibly successful!
These three colts who still have shares left will all be mature enough to run in the Karaka 2YO Million I believe and should be ready to trial in September this year.
They are about to begin their nearly education and everyone who has handled them has been truly impressed with their quality. They are very impressive individuals who I can strongly recommend. Give me a call on 021 925 151 if you would like to be involved with these impressive yearlings - you won't be disappointed. Or simply email [email protected] and she can send you all the details.
We have a huge weekend ahead racing-wise with our triple Group 1 winning mare Probabeel taking her place in the A$5 million All Star Mile - she has drawn a wide gate (10) yet again and will be ridden by Damian Lane who has forged a very successful relationship with her.
We also have our top mares Avantage and Melody Belle contesting the Group 1 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie, as our two year olds Sword of State (the Group 3 Matamata Slipper winner) and Karaka Million winner On The Bubbles line up in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes at that venue too. In A Twinkling has also drawn well out (16) for the Group 1 Barfoot and Thompson Auckland Cup.
I look forward to seeing you all at Ellerslie on Saturday for a great day of racing. Best of luck to all our owners with runners this week, and remember ...